India add extra test to New Zealand tour

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - India have added an extra test and Twenty20 international to their tour of New Zealand, which starts next month.

The two teams were scheduled to play two tests in Hamilton and Wellington but agreed to add a third in Napier as well as a second Twenty20 match in Christchurch. They will also play five one-day internationals.

"India are probably the most exciting side in the world at present, packed full of superstar players," New Zealand Cricket Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said in a statement.

"The chance to see six more days of high quality international competition will be welcomed by all New Zealand cricket fans."

The India team will arrive in New Zealand on Feb. 10, eight days earlier than scheduled, with the first tour match being the extra Twenty20 game in Christchurch on Feb. 25.

The additional test in Napier has been sandwiched between the Hamilton and Wellington tests, forcing organisers to reshuffle several of the original dates.

"There have been a number of issues for both boards to resolve to accommodate the new schedule and I am pleased we have been able to work together to achieve a high quality programme," said N. Srinivasan, honorary secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"To have such a strong mix of tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s will be good for both teams and for cricket followers in India and New Zealand."